KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is taking a firm stance against scam call centres by pushing for property owners, joint management bodies (JMBs), and security companies to be held liable if such activities are found on their premises.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said these entities could no longer claim ignorance if illegal activities take place in their rented buildings or units.
“We received intelligence that some security companies, owners, and JMBs were aware of criminal or suspicious activities happening on their premises,” he told a press conference at CCID headquarters on Wednesday (March 5).
He said it was alarming that scam syndicates often chose luxury condominium units as their operational bases.
Investigations will no longer focus solely on the scammers themselves but also on the property owners, JMBs, and security companies that allow such illegal activities to take place.
“We will not hesitate to propose charges against these entities under Section 120(B) of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy,” he said, adding that prosecution could be based on statements recorded during investigations.
His comments followed three recent raids on condominium units in Kuala Lumpur that were being used as scam call centres.
Ramli urged property owners to conduct proper background checks before renting out their units to avoid being implicated.
"I urge all parties, especially owners of premises, to conduct KYC (know your customer) before allowing anyone to rent or use such premises.
“Excuses such as not realising criminal activity was happening will no longer be accepted. As owners, it is their responsibility to ensure no such activities occur,” he said.
He added that scam syndicates often paid lump sums for up to a year’s rent or even bought residential units in cash, making it even more crucial for owners to verify the nature of their tenants’ activities.
“Owners might be happy receiving such large payments, but they must also ensure they know what their premises are being used for,” he said.
On February 26, police conducted raids on three condominiums along Jalan Tun Razak and detained 11 Chinese nationals suspected of operating scam call centres.
In the first raid, three men and a woman from China were arrested for running a lucky draw scam targeting Chinese nationals. Police seized four laptops and six mobile phones. The syndicate had been operating for about two months.
In the second raid, two Chinese men aged 31 and 40 were detained for operating a scam targeting online gamers from China and Singapore. The suspects used Telegram to promote bogus online games, requiring victims to make payments in US dollars before registering. However, victims were unable to access the games even after making payments.
The third raid saw five Chinese men, aged between 33 and 35, arrested for running an investment scam. One of them was identified as the supervisor, while the other four acted as customer service officers. Police seized four computers, six mobile phones, and a laptop.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been operating from the condominium for a year, using the “mycaifuhao.eastmoney.com” platform to lure victims. Those interested were given a link and ID through the Mosgram application and joined a live investment class.
Ramli said the case is being investigated under Section 420/120(B) of the Penal Code and the Immigration Act.
With scam call centres becoming increasingly sophisticated, authorities are stepping up efforts to ensure that those facilitating these illegal operations—whether intentionally or through negligence—are held accountable.
